Binding machine



Feb. 14, 1928.

A. E. CRANSTON BINDING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 25. 1922 Sweets-Sheet2 Feb. 14, 1928. 1,659,313

A. E. CRANSTON BINDING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 2 1922 '7Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 14, 1928. 1,659,313

. A. E. CRANSTON BI NDING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 2 .1922 7Sheets-Sheet, 4

Feb. 14, 1928.

A. E. CRANSTON BINDING MACHINE 2 1922 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original FiledOct.

Feb. 14, 1928. 1,659,313

1 A. E. CRANSTON BINDING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 2 1922 'YSheetS-SMeet 7 Patented Feb. 14, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT E. CRANSTON, or SPOKANE, WASHINGTON, ASSIGNOR TO ALEC .I.GERRARD,

or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BINDING MACHINE.

Application filed October 26, 1922, Serial No. 597,224. Renewed June 16,1327 .lhis invention relates to improvements in binding machines forbinding bunches of loose integers such as box shooks or other similarmaterial, or previously nailed up boxes or fixed entities. I

One of the features of this invention is to provide an upwardly inclinedtable along which the integers are propelled in edgcwise relationagainst the table.

A further feature resides in means whereby the operator may pick up abunch of loose shooks lying fiatwise, and deposit the bunch flatwise inthe machine, said means functioning to turn the bunch into edgewise cngagement with the table, thereby avoiding the necessity of the feedoperator manually exerting himself to turn the bunch from a fiatwise toan edgewise position.

A further feature consists in an improved compressing means whereby thebunch of loose integers is compressed as it advances, and is held undercompression until the binding wire is tied, whereupon the pressure iswithdrawn and the bound bundle pro-- cecds toward a delivery position. i

A special feature of the bunch compressor resides in its elasticity ofoperation whereby bunches of various dimension may be compressed withequal facility and without alteration or adjustment of the compressor,the latter being of a floating type and being actuated by gravity. I

A further feature consists in providing ineanswhereby the gravityactuation is supplemented by an additional and preferably elasticstress'on the compressor whereby a small bunch may be compressed to thesame extent as a large bunch.

ln depositing a loose bunch of integers in the machine. it frequentlyhappens that the ends will be irregular due to the fact that the shocksget out of accurately stacked relation and it is a feature of myinvention to provide slappers or aligncrs for aligning the ends of thebunch. preferably, just prior to advance of the bunch along the table.whereby the finally bound bundle will be substantially rectangular,instead of in regular, in form.

My invention includes an endless carrier or carriers having upstandingbundle advancing arm devices or followers for advancing the loosebunches or bound bundles miwardlv alone; the table. and itsis a featureof this invention, to provide track and shoe means whereby saidfollowers will be re tamed againstwobbling and be held to posit on bothas regards the active and the inactive laps of tr.vel of the carriers.

My invention has many other features and objects which will be morefully described n connection with the accompanying drawings and whichwill be more particularly pointed out in and by the appended claims.

In the drawings Fig. 1, isaview in side elevation looking from the rightof the machine, and with the compressor in a withdrawn position. a

Fig. 2. is a similar view with part omitted showing the compressor in afunctioniimposition. r p

F ig. 3, is a similar view, with certain parts omitted, showing thecompressor in readiness to compress an approaching loose bunch ofintegers and illustrating how va "ions size bunches may be compressed.

Fig. 4, is a view looking from the left- I hand side of the machine.

Fig. 5, is a View looking from the right of Figure 1, and directly atthe face of the table, this view being on a. slightly increased scalewith respect to Figure Fig. 6, is a sectional view on line 66 of Figure1, showing the main wheel'and main shaft. I

Fig. 7. is a face view of the main wheel showing the manner ofalternately actuating the transmission means to the endless carriers andthe knot-ting mechanism.

Fig. 8, is a detached view of the main wheel, looking in the samedirection as in Fig. 7. I

Fig. 9, is a view of the same looking in a direction reverseto thatshown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10, is a sectional'view on line 101() of Fig. 2 illustrating a planview'of the compressor. y

Fig. 11, is a view of certain gearing looking from the left of Fig. 2.as indicated by the arrow.

Fig. 12. is an enlarged sectional view on line 12-12 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 13, is a view in side elevation of the lower or intake end of thetable, and showing a bunch of loose integers deposited flatwiseon therocking frame.

Fig. 14. is a similar view showing how the frame has been rocked.

Fig. 15, is a skeleton contracted view show ing the track guiding meansfor the pusher arm shoes and only showing enough of the armstoillustrate the connection.

Fig. 16, is a sectional view on line 1616 of Fig. 1:).

Fig 17, is a sectional view on line 17-47 of Fig. 15.

Like characters of reference designate similar parts throughout thedifferent figures of the drawings.

As illustrated, my machine comprises a main frame including sides 1 and2, suitably connected and preferably mounted on a wheeled base 3, asshown in Fig. l. A main shaft 4, is journaled in the sides 1 and 2, andmounted thereon is a main wheel 5 having gear teeth 6. A pinion 7, oncounter shaft 8, (Fig. 11) also journaled in the frame sides, is incontinuous mesh with teeth 6, and this shaft 8, carries a gear 9,meshing with gear 10, on power shaft 11. A pulley 12, on shaft 11, isdriven through any suitable source of power which is not necessary toshow. i

The main frame is provided with an upwardly inclined'table designated asawhole at 13, and comprising spaced sections 14. extending from thelower or intake end 15 to the upper or delivery end 16. A gravitydelivery chute 17, extends from the upper end 16. Between the sections1 1. two endless carriers preferably in the form of chains 18, aredisposed. These endless chains. 18 are trained over chain wheels 19,mounted on shaft 20, at the top, and over chain wheels 21, mounted onshaft 22. at the bottom. Shaft 20 also carries a chain wheel -3, overwhich a chain 24:, is trained, the opposite bight of which is trainedover wheel .25, mounted onshaft 26. A wheel 27, on shaft 26 transmitsthrough chain 28, to chain wheel 99, on shaft 30, see Fig. 6. Theforegoing will hereinafter be termed the carrier transmission means andI will later describe the manner in which power is transmitted from mainwheel 5, to drive the carriers or chains 18.

I have shown, generally, the mechanism of a knotter, together with aneedle arm, to illustrate the location and relation of this part of themechanism to my machine, but as I will not specificallyclaim the same,but only broadly refer to it in the claims, I do not deem it necessaryto enter into a detailed description of its structure and operation, asboth will be described and claimed in 21 separate application. However,there. are specific features as regards the means of operating theknotter, in'certain relation to the operation of the chains 18, which Iwill claim hereinafter. 'lherefore, I will describe enough of theknotter to provide a foundation for claims broarLy to knottingmechanism. 3 i

As shown in Figures 4: and 5, 31 dos g nates a knotter structure whichis disposed in the path of the material and midway between the intakeand discharge ends of the table 18. It will also be noted that thisknotter structure is between the chains 18. A hook 32, operated by a rod33, serves to advance the wire into the slot 34-. Rod 33, is connectedwith arm 34:, on shaft 3:"). an arm 36, on shaft 35, (see Fig. a)counected by rod 37 with arm 38, on shaft illl. Periodically, a cam 10,on main wheel 5, (see Figs. 6 and 9) lifts arm 38, holding it elevatedfor the proper period, and then r:-' leases this arm, under the actionof a spring 41, (see Fig. 1). A needle arm -12, having an L-shapedextension elf-l, is mounted on shaft 44, journaled in bearings 45,carried by brackets 46. An operating arm 17, on shaft 44, is connectedby rod 48, with a. ram roller arm 49, (Fig. a) mounted toswind about astud 50. closedcam path 52, of a cam 5 on main shaft 4:, whereby theneedle arm actuated in proper synchronism with the knottcr ill. Sheaves5 1, 5-3. 56 and 57. form the path along and about which the bindingwire travels. A shaft 58, serves to rotate the knotter and has beveledgear 59, meshing with beveled geartitl, on shaft 61. lrlounted on shaft61, (see Fig. l) is a sprocket I312,

over which chain 63, is trained. The opposite bight of chain (33 istrained over sproclt et wheel G l, on stud shaft 65, (see Figs. 1, 6 and7).

Now it will be clear that I have shown and described knottcr operatingmeans driven from shaft 05, needle arm operating means driven by cam 53,and knotter hook operating means driven by cam 10.

Reference will next be made to my improved loading mechanism wherehyloose bunches of shooks are deposited in edgewisc relation against thetable sections 14, attention being directed more particularly to Figs.1, 2, 5, 13 and 1 1.

My improved loading mechanism comprises two rocking frames. disposedlaterally of carrier chains 18, and united to operate in unison but asthey are alike in construction and operation only one need be descrihedin detail. and that upon'tlu3- left of Fig.5, will now be described. Abracket (36 on frame side 1., fixedly journals :1 snp porting rod (37,at its outer end. A bracket (58, fixed to frame member 69, supportsllainucr end of rod (37. This section of llaroclring frame comprises asuportiug foot 70, for the. shocks, and an outer eoimecb ing member 71.A rod connects the mcm ber 71 and the foot 7!). making a rigid frame. Abar 73, is rigidly connected with the bob tom of foot and member 71.. A.link Tl, pivoted to said bar, is connected with lever 75 (see Fig. 7).This lever T5 is pivoted at T6, to a standard TT, mounted on bar 3.

The inner end of said lever it carries a A roller .31, travels in a:

Ill]

ti l

roller '79, adapted to be actuated by cam 80, on wheel 5. 81. :torrunning up on roller 79, and as the roller rides on cam 80. the rockingframe is tilted toward'the table 1%, as shown in Fig. 14, and when thecam 80, releases said roller '79, the rockingtrame returns to areceivingposition, as shown in Fig. 13. To insure this return movement, I employa spring 82, the upper end of which issecured to member 71. and thelower end of which is connected with a bracket 83 (see Fig. 1). Toprevent the frame from rocking too. far toward the position shown inFig. 13. I provide a stop 554i, in the form of an adjustable boltthreaded in a stop bar 85, which is mounted on brackets 66 and 68. Nowthe foot 70. forms thehorizontal supporting member for the shocks A, inthe position shown in F 13. I also provide a support angular to. andpreferably at right angles to the foot- 79 to one port- 86 which is ofsutficient height for shook bunches of a relatively wide range of size.Now it will be clear that when the Frame is in the receiving positionshown in.-

in Fig. 14, the right hand edges of the bunch,

A will be disposed in edgewise engagement against the table and the lefthand face of support 86. looking at Fiat. 13. will be tlusl with thetable. In order thatthe two frame sections may be actuated in unison.the supports 86 are connected at 87. As a matter -5: satetv. I provideeach foot 70. with a gzuardtlS, and these guards are connected bv a bar89. Between the two rocking -frames I prefer to dispose a fixed toot 90;so that in case the operator does not accurately deposit a short bunchoi shocks so that one of each of the ends will rest on one of the feet'i'O. this fixed "foot 90 would prevent the loose shocks from fallingdown on thefloor. It will be noted that the bunch or bundle advancingarm devices with which each chain 18 is provided. and which will helater described. will advance from below and between the rocking framesectionsinto engagement with the bottom of the bunch oi lo so shocks andadvance the latter upwardly along the table. 1

Now having described the structure Oil my improved l idine mechanism.which comprises the companion rocking frames. I will next point out itsadvantages. f

In the first place. these loose-shocks are stacked tlatwise on the flooror the mil the were staclrededeewise they would tall about in utterdisorcer. Now when an op erator picks up a bunch, he picks it up flat-Cam 80 has an initial terminal the side edges facingthe table 14%, Thistakes the form of an upstanding supwise, with his fingers engaging theflat bottom of the lowest board of the bunch. With werehorizontallydisposed, and it Ihad not provided this improved loadingmecbanism. Therefore, it will be seen that by relieving the operator ofthe work and strain of holding and turning a loose bunch of shooks everytime he deposits them. and pro viding a natural method of easy depositof theshoolis, I have accomplished a labor saving feature that greatlyspeeds up the work of feeding a binding machine N ow it will beunderstood that a bunch of loose integers cannot be as tightly boundwhen resting flatwise ao'ainst'the table along which it is being!advanced, as wlien'thc bunch rests edgewise thereagainst. Hence, to allpractical intents and purposes. it essential that the loose shoohs rested rcwisc ant-unlit the table, and theretore. the idea of an inclinedtable. tonether with a roaring loading mechanism. jointlv contribute toa very marked improvement in this art.

l i hen the loose shocks are placed upon the feet 'ZO, the end edges ofthe shocks of the bunch may be out or alidnment tl erebv givina' thebunch an irregular form. This cannot be true of that side of the bunch'taein'o the table. as the upright members 86, serve also as aligners.but it is desirable to have theshooks in aligned relation endwise oithe,

bunch so that the bunch, when bound into a bundle, will have asubstantially rectangular form. By having; the bundles of reg-ale; tionsize, they take up less room in storage and less shipping; space.Therefore, I'have a slapper or aligning mechanism which I will nowdescribe in detail.

Slapper or aligning plates 91 are disposed on opposite endsoit' thebunch to be deposited on feet 70, both plates and their accompany ingmechanism being the same, only one will he described in detail. Asupporting arm 92 is provided with bosses adjustably fixed on rods 7 and72 so that said arm ma be adjusted toward or away from chain 18.according to the length of shooks to be bound. Links 953 are pivoted at94-. to plate 91, and at 95 to arm 92. When the loading mechanism is inthe receiving position showniu Fig. 13. the plates 91 are in a retractedposi tion. to permit the shoolisto be freely deposited on the rockingFrame. As the frame rocks into the position shown in Fig. 1%. the

ill

85, which, as previously described, is supported on brackets 60 and 08.On the lower end of said bar is a. stop nut 99, between which and theend of the bracket 98, is interposed an expansively acting spring 100.Now. by reason of the fact that arm 92, is mounted on rods 67 and 72,said arm will rock with said rocking frames and hence when said framesare in the position shown in Fig. 1 1, the springs will be under tensionand will exert a quick but yielding down thrust on plates 91, causingsaid links 93 to move toward the horizontal and slapping the plates 91sharply against the ends of the shocks. This action occurs just as therocking frames assume the position shown in Fig. 1 1, and before theadvancing means engages the bottom of the bunch. In fact, these plates91 may complete their function just before the side edges of the shocksreach an engaging position with the table sections 14: so that they willnot have to overcome any friction except that due to the weight of theshook boards on each other. before the bunch of shooks is in theposition shown in Fig. 14, it will be in symmetrical form for binding.An important feature of this action resides in the fact that it isyieldingly, not positively imparted. A positive action on plates 91,would not only require a very accurate adjustment of the arms 92 and iffor any reason, a shook happened to he too long. then either stoppage orbreakage would inevitably occur. I will next describe the manner inwhich the plate 91 is restored to a retracted position when the rockingframes are returned to the receiving position shown in Fig. 13.

I provide the rod 96, with a stop nut 101 which is adapted to engagewith the top of bracket 98 before the rocking frames reach the receivingposition shown in Fig. 13, thereby imparting an upward thrust on the rod96 for elevating the plate 91 to the retracted position. Thus when theplates 91 are spread apart, full ingress is afforded for depositing abunch of shooks onto feet 70.

I will next describe the means for advancing the loose bunches of shooksupwardly from the rocking frames along the table scc lions 1:1,referring first to 15 to 17.

The endless chains 18 carry bunch and bundle advancing devices orfollowers in pairs suitably spaced apart and each follower, which I willbroadly designate at C, comprises a bundle pushing member 102 and asupporting member 103 pivotally connected at 10 1. These arespecifically old but I have devised a novel means for preventing saiddevices from wobbling either during their active or inactivelaps oftravel. It will be understood that if these devices Thus, just.

were permitted to wobble, they would not uniformly engage the looseshocks, and during theirrcturn or inactive laps of travel, they wouldinterfere with other portions of the machine and thei'eby prevent acompact arrangement of mechanism. It is also a feature during the activelaps of travel, to prevent the followers and their chains from beinglifted away from the table.

Each of said members 102 and 1.03 is pivoted to a shoe 10.3 and 100, andas both are the same in construction and operation, only one will bedescribed in detail.

Shoe 105 is in two separate halves which are united by the pivot 10?which connects the shoe with said member 1.02. The shoe halves aregrooved at 108 to receive the chain 18, which is rigidly securedthereto, whereby the two halves are ri idly united. Said halves 105 arealso grooved at 109 for engagement with a guide rail of T form which isindicated as a whole at 110 and which extends from the intake to thedelivery end of the table on the active lap of travel of the carriers.Said rail has a top port-ion 111, the outer odes of which engage thegrooves 109, and also a l'iase portion 112. Now the shoe halves extendinto engage meat with the base portion 112, as indicated at 113. A web114, unites the top portion 111 with the base portion 111. With thisdouble surface engagement, the shoe 105 is very effectively held inengagement and affords a greater wearing surface than would be affordedby a single rail engagement, which is necessary on the active lap,because of the strain imposed in advancing the niaterial. A furtherfeature of the double or T-form rail 110 is that the top portionspresent top faces 115 on which the chains 18 ride, as well as affordinga double guiding engagement for the shoes.

On the inactive lap of travel, I provide a. single rail 116 by reason ofthe fact that the arms 102 and 103 are not subjected to any stress andit is merely desirable to retain the arms from wobbling. As seen in Flg. 17, the grooves 109 engage the side edges of the rail 116. theportions 113, being free from engagement, with any rail surface. As theshoes enter their active lap of travel when rounding wheels 21, theyfirst engage strip guides 1.17 which tern'iinate at 118 at the lowerendsof rails 110. The faces 11? ride onto these guides 117 and the latterregister the shoes with-rails 110. At the uppencuds 119, the rails 110terminate in free ends and the shoes slide from the latter and traversewheels 19. Before the shoes leave wheels 19, they are engaged by stripguides 120 which guide the shoes into registry with rails 116. The lowerends 121 of rails 116 are free and the shoes slide from the latter andtraverse wheels 21. It will be understood that sprocket wheels 19 and 21are designed rant as p coin iression irrespective ot the size of bundlewith sul'liciently long teeth to take care of the pro ection of theshoes 105, this projection being exaggerated 111 the drawings for ur3085 of clear illustration. The shade ofrail 116 is clearly shown inFig. 1, illustrating how, on'the inactive lap, the advancing means isguided past and about shaft 61, which would be impossible ii the'chaiiis18 were not guided on this lap.

Now it is old, in machines of this character to run these chains inchannel guides, or more comprehensively speaking, to guidethese chainsby reason of the chains actually engaging the guides. 'I-lowever, thisalone would not prevent the arms from wobblino as I have found in actualpractice. In this construction, I provide means for positively guidingthe shoes themselves, and because the chains are secured to the shoes,the chains are necessarily guided but not as the primary agency. Thesechains, in the absence of this ii hprovement might be very successfullyguided so that their lateral sway or turning action would be nugatory,and yet even a minute sway or turn of the chain, would, because of thee'xtcntot' projection of the arms therefrom, result in a very materialsway of said arms. means directly to the shoes, instead of the chain, Ientirely avoid any objectionable sway otthe arms, and I believe this tobe incompressible, relatively speaking, are not incon'ipressible whenassembled in bunches, but on the contrary,they are susceptible of verymaterial compression to obtain a bound bundle that is compact and firm.Furthermore, it is an object of this invention to bind of various sizes,and obtainunitorm within practical limits, and it is to the performanceof this function that I have addressed a compression mechanism which Iwill now describe in detail. i A pair of track bars 122, Figs. 2 and 10,have their lower ends mounted to swing about shaft 22, as an axis, andraid bars or;-

tend upwardly to near the top of the machine, as shown. Of course saidbars 122 will be rigidly connected with each other to swing or be swungin unison. erated arm 123, is preferably rigidly connected with both ofsaidbars and carries a roller 12% at its free end. A cam 125, mounted onmain shaft 4, serves to rock said track bars'122 toward the table 1%. Acompressor 126 is rigidly mounted on a carriage 12? and has rollers 128which engage said track bars as the carriage travels longitudinallythereof. A lever arm 129 has one end pivcited to said carriage at 130and its otherend is pivoted at 131 to a supporting link 132,

which latter is pendently pivoted on the Now by applying the guiding Acam op machine frame at 133., Cushioning means is connected with saidlever arm and as shown, said means includes a'cylinder 134 which ispivotally connected at 138, with said lever arm 129. A suitable quantityof oil or other liquid is disposed in cylinder 1341 to act as acushioning medium. A pipe 139 opens at 1 10 and 1 11 to opposite ends ofsaid cylinder and a regulating valve 142 is interposed in said pipe. Thepurpose of this valve is to restrict the flow of oil in response tomovement of the piston 136.

The operation of said compressor is as liollows:

Referring to Fig. 3, the bunch B, has been bound in bundle form and isbeing advanced upwardly to ard the delivery chute 17. The loose bunch A,is approaching the knotter and it will be seen that its (lin' ension ona line parallel. with the table 14;, is much greater than acorrespondingdimension or bound bundle B, the dillerence being exaggerated for purposes of gra-pliic illustration. Now the cam 125hasrocked the track bars 122 toward the table llto pro ject thecompressor 126 into the path of loose bunch A. Right here, it ispertinent to point out that this projection of the. com pressor istimcdsutficiently early so that it will be in the path of an approachingloose. bunch, irrespective of the height oi said bunch (within limits),and without any special adjustment of the compressor mechanism whengreater or less size bunches are being bound. This is an importantfeature of my improved compressor. Now, revertii ig back to thedescription of operation. it will be clear that in Fig. 3, piston 136has moved downwardly to the bottom of cylinder 3s, thereby forcingtheoil or cushion ing medium below the piston outwardly and upwardlythrough pipe 139 into the space above piston 136. Further, piston 136supporting con'ipressor 126, in the position showirin Fig. 8. Now asbunch 13 approaches and engages compressor 126, the latter will beelevated and will longitudinally traverse track bars 122 into theposition shown in Fig. 2. N ow theweiglit of: the compressor andcarriage 127, combinethf will be imposed on the loose bunch to co npressthe same. However, in addition to this weight, the consequent iii'i vardmove; n ent of piston 136, as a result 01' this elevation of thecompressor, will have forced the oil to pass from above piston 13 6downwardly to the space below said piston, through pipe 139. Now valve 112 will be adjusted to retard the flow of oil toexert a resistance tosuch elevation of the compressor 126, in addition to the weight of: thelatter, sufficiently to effectively compress the loose bunch to therequired degree 0t compactness. Then, when pressure is released, theintegers of the bound bundle will consequently expand, and the wire willtightly bind the bundle. Now it will be clear that the weight of thecompressor on a loose bunch will always be the same, irrespective of thesize of the bunch. Further, it will now be clear that the addedresistance of the oil, will always be the same, irrespective of the sizeof the bundle, and without requiring even a special adjustment of valve142, because of the difference in size of the bunches. This is a veryimportant feature of my compressor.

Now the compressive action of the com pressor 126 is constant anduniformly sustained from the time it is first engaged by the loose bunchuntil it is released by withdrawal therefrom. Thus it will be seen thatbecause the pressure is uniform, it is not cumulative and does notincrease as the bunch ascends, if it did, then the pressure ondifferentsized bunches would vary in accordance with the size, and sucha device, would require adjustment for each different size bunch. Thereason why this addi tional pressure exerted by the oil is uniform, isthat the valve 142 retards the initial quantity of oil seeking passagetherethrough with the same resistance as the last quantity, and when thecylinder 136 is full, or substantially so, as it will be in practice,the sli htest movement of the piston 136 will fulI take up any slightoil slack, and just as soon as this slack has been taken up, thenresistance to further passage or movement of the oil, responsive topiston movement will be a uniform resistance, throughout the movement ofthe compressor in an upward direction.

Now when the bunch B, has reached the position shown in Fig. 2, thechains 18 stop, in order to permit the needle arm 42 and the knottermechanism 31 to bind and tie the wire. A pawl and ratchet wheel (notshown) may prevent backing down of the chain. I will broadly designatethis as the binding period of rest. Immediately after the knot is tied,the cam 125 releases the track bars 122 for retractive rocking movementby gravity back to the position shown in Fig. 1. This Withdraws thecompressor from engagement against the bound bundle, prefnably justbefore the chains 18 are again actuated. Now it will be clear thatpiston 136, at the start of this withdrawal movement of the compressor,is at the top or in an upwardly advanced position in the cylinder 134,and that when the compressor 126 is freed from engagement with. thebound bundle B, it would, with its carriage 127, be free to traveldownwardly on track bars 122, by gravity. However, the oil now in thebottom of the cylinder 134,,resists downward movement of the piston 136and consequently the lowering of the compressor is retarded andcushioned toward the piston shown in Fig. 1. I have now described acomplete cycle of operation of my improved coinpresso' and it will nowbe clear that as upward movement of the latter is dependent on themovement of the bunch actuating it, and as it has no prescribed anddefinite mechanically controlled movement which is always uniform, thatthe co1npressor is clearly a floating element. In practice, and in orderto take the stress off from piston 156 when the machine is idle, and ifdesired when in operation. I employ a bumper rest as shown at 143. Ifind that the carriage, in practice, is very gently lowcred against thebumper.

I will next describe the manner in which transmission is effected frommain .wheel 5, to operate the various mechanisms.

Shaft 30, is journaled in a box 144 which is slidable in housing 145, inframe side 1. A spring 146 normally acts to shift box 144 to the rightof Fig. 6. A strap bearing 14?, mounted on frame side 1, also journalsshaft 30. On the outer end of shaft 30, is the sprocket wheel 29. On theinner end of shaft 30, is a mutilated pinion 148, the teeth of whichare-adapted to mesh with the teeth of a segment 149, on gear wheel 5. Acam 150, concentric with shaft 4, forms a continuation of segment 149,making a complete circular path. Pinion 148, has on its inner end, asmooth arcuate face 151, adapted to engage am 150, which permitsrotation of the latter and holds pinion 148 against rotation. This cam150 does not project from the face of wheel 5, as far as segment 149, asseen in Fig. 6, and hence when the segment passes pinion 148, itsareaate face 151 engages cam 150 and has sliding engagement therewithuntil the teeth of segment 149 again reach pinion 148. Thus, it will beseen that while main wheel 5, rotates continuously, while the machine isin operation, it only drives pinion 148 while the latter is in mesh withsegment 149. consequcntly, pinion 148 is intermittently driven. I havepreviously described the trans mission from sprocket 29, to sprocket2;), (Fig. 1) which thus completes the description of the carrieroperating means.

I will next describe the manner whereby the knotter operating means isintermittent- 1y driven from wheel 5, in alternation with the carrieroperating means.

Referring to Fig. 6, shaft 65, carries on its inner end a mutilatedpinion 152 having a mutilated or cam engaging peripheral portion 153 forengagement with cam 150. A box 154, is slidable in guide 155, in frameside 1, and journals shaft 65, and is in'ged by spring 156, to the leftof Fig. 6. A strap bearing 157 journals the outer end of shaft 65. Ihave shown, 'in Fig. 7, the pinion 152, in engagement with cam 150. andin this position of wheel 5, the knotter ill! Inn

is at rest. pinion 152, the latter will be in mesh with the teeth ofsaid segment and the knotter will be actuated and the carriers will beat rest. I have already described the means for transmitting rotarymotion from shaft 65 to shaft 61 (Fig. l). i

It will now be clear that when the carriers are advancing a bunch ofshocks toward the knotter, the latter will be at rest, and when theshoolrs are in a position to be knotted, the carriers will be at restand the knot-t er will be actuated. In Figs. 1 and 7 it is clear thatwhile the knotter is being actu atcd, the lever 75 will be actuated torock the bunch receiving frame from the position shown in Fig. 13, tothat shown in Fig. Ll, in readiness for the'followers when the carriersnext start.

If, as in some sizes of shocks, the latter are of such dimension thatthe bunches will not pass under the needle arm when disposed edgewiseagainst the table, they can be disposed flatwise thereagainst,althoughin this disposition the tied bundles will not be compressed asthe compressor cannot apply compression edgewise of a bunch. However,

this contingency is rare.

While this machine is primarily designed for use in binding looseintegers, it is also adapted for use in binding nailed boxes for foreigntransit, or for binding anything in the form of separate articles,eitherindividua-lly compressible or not, which? have a definite form, incontradistinction to hay or rags in loose bulk prior to baling, whichare formless.

In many respects, I gain very appreciable advantages from inclining thetable upwardly but I do not wish to be limited to an upwardly inclinedtable, as the pressure device with spring retur'n and the rockingii'rame, would each be 0i great utility in a machine wherein the tablewas not upwardly inclined.

YYhile l have shown one form of my invention, I do not wish to belimited thereto except for such limitations as the Claims may import.

I claim 1. A binding machine comprising means for advancing a bundle ofloose integers in an upward direction, and mechanismior compressing saidintegers irrespective of size thereof.

2. A binding machine comprising means for advancing loose integers in anupward direction, and gravity actuated mechanism for compressing saidintegers on the upward travel thereof.

3. A binding machine comprising means for. advacing looseintegers in anupward direction, and retarding mechanism for compressing said integerson the upward travel of the latter.

hen the segment 149 reaches 4. A binding machine comprising means foradvancing loose integers in an upward direction; and combined gravityactuated mechanism and retarding mechanism "for compressing saidintegers while the latter path of and compressing said integers prior toand during said period of rest and thereafter releasing said integers.

6. A binding machine comprising means for advancing a loose bunch ofintegers upwardly and then holding them in a position of rest for aperiod and then continuing the advancing movement of said integers alongthe same line of travel. and compres ion mechanism movable into the pathof said integers and compressing the same and then movingouto'l' thepath of said integers to permit the latter to coi'itinuc their advancingmovement.

7. A binding machine comprising means for advancing a loose bunch ofintegers in an upward direction; and compression mechanism movable intothe path or said integers relatively greatly in advance of the latterwhereby integer bunches of widely varying size may be compressed.

8. A binding machine comprising means for advancing a loose bunch ofintegers in an upward direction, and compression meclianlsm havingoperating means 1novable through a fixed. cycle and provided with abunch compressor operable to an extent dependent upon the size of thebunch.

' 9. A binding machine comprising endless means for advancing bunches oiloose integers in an upward direction with a periodic rest at abindinglocation, a track bar with means for oscillating the latter aboutatiXed axis toward and from the path oi travel of said bunches. and acompressor slidable on said track bar for conn'ncssing said bunches. i

10. A binding machine comprising means for advancing a bunch of looseintegers in an upward direction, and a gravity co1npressor coacting withsaid means and advanced by said bunch to compress the latter.

11,. A binding machine comprising means for advancing a bunch of looseintegers along an upward incline, a trackl'iar pivote to swing about afixed axis atits lower end. means forswinging the upper end of said bartoward and from the path of travel of said integers, a compressor,slidable longitudinally on said bar for rmgageinent by said integerbunches to coi'npress the same.

and

tin

Ill)

an arm having pivotal connection with a supporting link at one of itsendsand having its remaining end pivoted to said compressor, and meansconnected with said arm between its ends for resisting upward movementof said arm to increase the compressive action of said compressor.

. 12. A binding machine comprising means for advancing a loose bunch ofintegers along an upward incline, a compressor, means for moving saidcompressor into the path of an advancing bunch to be engaged and beelevated by the latter to compress the same and then quickly withdrawingsaid compressor from engagr-nnent with said bunch, and means forincreasing the com pressive action of said compressor and cushioning thewithdrawim; movement of the latter. v

13. A binding machine comprising means for advancing a bunch oi integersalong an upward path of travel, and a floating compressor forcompressing integer bunches o'l dill'erent dimensions.

l l. A binding machine comprising an upwardly inclined table, means foradvancing bunches of loose integers upwardly along said table, a rockingframe at the lower end of said table adapted to occupy a receivingposition to support a bunch of loose integers, and means for rockingsaid frame to dispose said integers against said table and into the pathof said advancing means whereby said integers may be advanced upwardlyalong said table.

15. A binding machine comprising an upwardly inclined table, endlessmeans for advancing bunches of loose integers upwardly along said table,a rocking frame having angularly dispos d members for supportinglyengaging two sides of a bunch of loose integers, spring means normallyholding said frame in a position to horizontally receive a bunch ofloose integers, and means for rocking said frame to dispose saidintegers against said table and into the path of said endle s meanswhereby said integers may be :ulvam-cd upwardly along said table.

16. A binding machine comprising an inclined table and means'foradvancing loose integer bunches upwardly along said table, saidtable having cut away portions, a rocking 'l'rame liaving subjacentsupporting members and upstanding members of a height to receive bunchesof different sizes, means normally holdingsaid frame with saidsupporting men'ibers horizontally disposed and said upstanding membersvertically disposed to receive a bunch of integers, and means forrocking said frame to project said upstanding members into said cut awayportions and flush with said table with one side of said bunch inengagement therewith and said supporting members inclined and at rightangles to the plane of said table thereby disposing said bunch in thepath of said advancing means.

1.7. A binding machine comprising an upwardly inclined table, bunchadvancing means movable upwardlyalong said table, a rocking rack fordeposit of loose integer bunches therein, alining plates mounted on saidrack to move toward and away from the ends of the bunch thereon meansfor rocking said rack into a bunch delivering position with respect tosaid table, and mechanism actuated upon such reciting movement oli saidrack for moving said plates into engagement with the ends of said bunchto aliuc the end edges of the integers thereof.

18. A binding machine comprising an upwardly inclined table, endlesschains haviug active laps running upwardly along the top of said tableand in-acti .'e laps running below said tablln wheels at the lower andupper ends of staid table about which said chains are trained, tracksextending along the active laps of said chains and tracks extendingalong the ill-active laps of said chains, bundle ad ancing arm devicescarried by said chains and in sliding engagement with said trackswhereby said devices will be held in projecting positions through outtheir endless travel.

19. A binding machine con'iprising an upwardly inclined table endlesschains having active laps running upwardly along the top of said tableand iii-active laps running below said table, wheels at the lower andupper ends of said table about which said chains are trained, tracksextending along the active laps 01 said chains between said uppervandlower wheels, tracks extending along the iii-active laps between saidupper and lower wheels bundle advancing devices pivoted to said shoesand engaging said tracks, and devices for guiding said shoes onto saidtracks at the upper and lower ends.

20. A binding machine comprising an upwardly inclined table, means foradvancing bunches of integers upwardly along said table, a track bar, aconiprcssor tor said bunches movable along said bar, and meansindependent of said bar for limiting longitudinal travel of saidcompress: along said bar.

21. A binding machine comprising an upwardly inclined table, means foradvancing lmnches of loose integers upwardly along said table, a trackbar, a con'ipressor for said bunches movable along said barl andcushioning means for limiting travel of said compressor along said bar.

A binding machine comprising an upwardly inclined table, means foradvancing bunches of integers upwardly along said table. a track bar. acompressor for said bunches movable along said bar, and means limitingdownward movement of said compressor and resisting upward movementthereof.

23. A binding machine comprising an up llll lilii wardly inclined table,an endless carrier for advancing bunches of loose integers upwardlyalong said table, knotting mechanism between the end of said table andin the path of travel 01 said bunches, power transmission means for saidcarrier, power transmission means for said mechanism, and driving meansfor alternately operating said carrier and mechanism.

24. .A binding machine comprising a table, a movable receiving devicefor a loose bunch of shooks, and means for actuating said device todeposit said shooks in edgewise engagement with said table.

25. A binding machine having a table provided with tracks, and bundleadvancing arm devices movable along said table and having slidableengagement with said tracks.

26. A binding machine having a table provided with tracks, chains ridingon said tracks, and bundle advancing arm devices connected with saidchains to be advanced thereby and having sliding engagement with saidtracks to hold said devices and chains in position.

27. A binding machine having a table pro vided with tracks of T-crosssection, chains riding in contact on the top faces of said tracks, andbundle advancingarm devices connected with said chains to be advancedthereby and having shoes in slidable andretaining engagement with thetop and bottom flanges of said tracks.

28. A binding machine having a table provided with tracks having upperand lower flanges, chains riding on top of the upper flanges, and bundleadvancing arm devices connected with said chains to be advanced therebyand having shoes provided with grooves for engagement with the edges ofthe upper track flanges and said shoes having flat portions in slidableengagement with the faces of said lower flanges.

29. A binding machine comprising a table, a rack for receiving an entityin one position, and means for rocking said rack to dispose said entityagainst said table in another position.

80. A binding machine comprising means for advancing an entity ofmaterial in one direction, and retarding mechanism for compressing saidmaterial.

31. A binding machine con'iprising means for advancing an entity ofmaterial, and a floating compressor mechanism for compressing saidmaterial.

A binding machine comprising means for advancing an entity of materialand then holding it for a period of rest and then again advancing thesame, and compression mechanism movable into the path of and compressingsaid material prior to and during said period of rest and thereafterreleasing said material.

In testimony that Iclaim the foregoing as my own, I hereby atliX mysignature.

ALBERT n. onansron.

